Drunk dad arrested for smashing vodka outside shop; was "supervising" 4-year-old son just hours after suspended DV sentence (Hanford, England, UK)

It's the usual indulgent treatment that wife beaters and child abusers get, especially in the UK. Back in June, dad MATTHEW EARDLEY assaulted his 4-year-old son's mother--and in the son's presence, who had pleaded with his dad to "get off his mum." In October, Daddy receives a suspended prison sentence for the crime. Within HOURS of receiving the suspended sentence, Daddy is "supervising" his son in public and getting drunk on vodka. After the thoroughly intoxicated father "smashed" a bottle of vodka outside a shop, he was re-arrested for being drunk and incapable in front of a child. When police arrested him, Daddy was slurring his words and unable to stand. The boy was crying. Children need this???

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Vodka-shame-dad-left-care-young-son/article-3096441-detail/article.html

Drunk dad arrested after smashing vodka outside shop

By sentinel reporter newsdesk@thesentinel.co.uk

A JUDGE has told a young dad to become more responsible after the 28-year-old was arrested for being drunk and incapable in front of his child.

Shoppers reported seeing a boy crying outside the Co-op, in Hanford, after his dad had smashed a bottle of vodka near the shop.

Police arrived at the shop to find Matthew Eardley slumped in a chair, slurring his words and struggling to stand up.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Eardley had earlier downed a bottle of vodka in just 45 minutes.

The defendant had been drowning his sorrows after earlier being handed a suspended prison sentence for possessing an offensive weapon.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told Eardley:

"It is about time you took your responsibilities as a father far more responsibly.

"In June you assaulted your partner in his (your son's) presence.

"Then in October, within hours of receiving a suspended prison sentence, when a child was under your control, you acted in a grossly irresponsible manner.

"You became drunk and incapable of basic supervision of a child.

"I hope you realise that is simply unacceptable."

The court heard that in June Eardley had attacked his partner, who was also the mother of his child, at their home in Fletcher Road, Stoke.

Neil Ahuja, prosecuting, said: "He had been abusing alcohol and became violent towards her after she unplugged the internet as she suspected he was talking to other females online.

"He threatened to knock her teeth out.

"He then grabbed her round the throat and she could not breathe. She was in fear he was going to kill her."

The assault happened in front of their four-year-old son who pleaded with Eardley to get off his mum.

The assault was not reported to police at the time because his victim did not want her son to see his dad being arrested.

But the assault was reported on October 12 after Eardley went to his parents' home, where his partner was living, and acted aggressively.

Eardley pleaded guilty to common assault, being drunk in charge of a child and breaching a suspended prison sentence when he appeared in court.

Stephen Oldham, mitigating, said Eardley had been on remand for 89 days.

He said: "In order for him to be a success in the community he needs to keep away from alcohol.

"He is extremely keen to make sure he stays out of trouble."

Judge Trevor-Jones sentenced Eardley to four months in prison, suspended for 15 months, with 15 months' supervision and requirements to complete programmes in alcohol treatment and domestic violence.